Two former radio rivals are going into a battle of a different kind after Joseph Thomsen joined Kevin Poulton in the race for a seat on Wodonga Council yesterday
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Mr Thomsen recently ended a 15-year stint on ABC Goulburn-Murray when he took a redundancy from the national broadcaster and was one of the last minute nominations for the council election next month.
Mr Poulton and Mr Thomsen have drawn first and second respectively on the ballot paper after the draw was completed soon after nominations closed.
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Mr Thomsen is a Wodonga resident unlike Mr Poulton, who lives in Albury, but is free to run due to his official capacity as a director of the Albury-Wodonga Community College.
The former ABC announcer said he had made a last minute decision to run for council with dramas associated with the NSW-Victoria border closure being a catalyst.
He said the frustrations of recent months was a prime opportunity to raise a merger of Albury and Wodonga councils again.
"I don't want to be a one idea person, but that is one main driver for me," he said.
"I know a lot of people aren't in favour of amalgamation, but I think it would better for Albury-Wodonga.
"All of the anomalies and problems on both sides I don't think there is any benefit to anybody (with status quo)."
Olga Quilty, the wife of former councillor turned Victorian Upper House politician Tim, was also a last minute nomination.
Mr Quilty represents the Liberal Democrats who have also endorsed his wife for the council election.
"I love this area and having been in lockdown for a while it made think how it important it is to stand up and make some impact," she said.
Six of the seven incumbent councillors including Cr Mitchell have renominated for another term with mayor Anna Speedie announcing her decision to step aside a month ago.
Former councillor Michael Fraser is seeking to win a spot back after missing out in 2016.
The candidates in ballot order are:
Kev Poulton
Joseph Thomsen
Andrew Lees
John Watson
Willem Manley
Libby Hall
Beth O'Shea
Ron Mildren
Mike Fraser
Kat Bennett
Simon Walsh
Graeme Simpfendorfer
Danny Lowe
Olga Quilty
Bernie Squire
Rupinder Kaur
Rick Del Monte
Brian Mitchell
Danny Chamberlain